Portable electric engraving instrument



W. E. STENNING.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC ENGBAVING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 31- l9l9- Patented May 31, 1921.

BA I'TEIFY -L JE 4 Wa/fr E. 5/0171) UNITED WALTER E. STENNING, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

PORTAIBIJE ELECTRIC ENGRAVING- INSTRUMENT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER E. STENNING, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Electric Engraving Instruments,

- of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to portable electric engraving apparatus, and has for its object to provide in such an apparatus a markmg instrument carrying an electric vibrating mechanism which is adapted to impart a vibrating action to the pencil causing it to mark or form a groove by a multiplicity of indentations or cuts upon the surface of the work.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the ap ended claim.

n the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1is a diagrammatic view illustrating the general arrangement of the marking apparatus.

Fig. 2-1s a side elevation partly in section, showing the marking pencil with the vibrating mechanism mounted on one end thereof.

Fig. 8-is an edge view of the vibrating mechanism showing the casing in section.

Fig. 4-is an end view showing the angular pointed end of the pencil.

Fig. 5-is a side elevation showing the pointed end of the pencil.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the base which is preferably formed of wood, as it is light and easily transported, and on this base is mounted a tubular, adjustable standard 11, the upper end of which is curved as at 12, and is provided with a loop 13, in which the upper end of the spring 14 is hooked. The lower end of this spring is connected to the eye 15 on the up er end of the casing 16, which is att 0 ed to the engraving pencil, which yielding connection serves to take the welght of the upper end of this pencil, permitting the point to be readily manipulated and moved about by the hand of the operator over the face of the work 17 to-be marked upon.

It is found inpractice desirable to provide a battery box. 18, as a source of electric supply so that the marking instrument may be used without being obliged Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 31,

'lar 25, to hold tongue 26, so as Patented May 31, 1921. 1919. Serial 1T0. 314,505.

.to depend on the supply of local electric current, g i

I have also provided a normally open foot switch 19, so that the current will be automatically dlsconnected when the pressure of the foot of the operator is removed from the switch.

In the construction of my improved vibratmg marker, I have provided a base bar 20, on which a pair of electromagnets 21, are mounted, at the upper end of which magnets I have mounted an armature 22, wh ch 1s supported on two upright rods 23, WhlCh rods extend down throughand are slidable in the base 20, and on each of these rods, I have mounted light tension sprin s 24, each pressing upward against its co the armature normally out of contact with the two electromagnets, and 1n contact through the spring 26, with the adjustable thumb-screw 27, mounted on the bracket 28, which bracket is supported from the base 20, on a standard 29. Threaded into the under side of this base 20, is the manipulating handle 30, which also serves as a sheath or casing through which the marking pencil rod 31 passes. The upper end of this pencil rod 1s secured to the armature 22, and its lower end is pointed as at 32, and extends through and beyond the sheath. The pointed end of the pencil is preferably in the form of a pyramid having flat sides with sharp edges, whereby the series of rapid vibrations of the armature, causes the sharpened, hardened point to cut, score, and groove, by makin of close indentations in t e work, thereby groove thereon.

In order to form a little softer or easier grip for the hand on the sheath, I have provided a covering of rubber in a measure, to prevent the transmission of the shocks due to the vibrations upon the hand of the operator.

It is found in practice that where the instrument is used continuously for an extended time, that it is necessary to provide two guide rods 23, in order to counterbalance the side or tipping action of the spring to prevent too much wear or friction upon the pencil as it moves in and out through the sheath 30, and to accomplish this accurately, the tension of the two springs 24, may be adjusted so that the one on the side to which the tongue is a multiplicity 33, which serves,

attached may be given a little greater tenbracket 28, post 29, wire 35, back through switch 19 to the battery. The post 29 is insulated at 37 from the base 20.

The casing 16 is secured in position to the base 20 by means of the screws 36, and may be readily removed when it is desired to withdraw it for inspection, adjustment, or repairs.

The device is extremely simple in construction, and efiective in its operation, and by its use, engraving on any surface such as metal, wood, ivory, pearl, or the like, may be done very rapidly, and therefore at much less expense than would be the case where aavaeai the work is performed by the usual handen raving tools.

he" foregoing description is directed solely toward the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claim.

I claim:

Tn a portable electric engraving apparatus the combination of a base, asu pporting standard on said base, a marking instrument comprising a casing and a reciprocatory pencil therein, said casing being yieldably supported from said standard, an electric magnet carried at one end thereof for imparting reciprocatory movement to said pencil, an electric circuit, and a switch interposed in said circuit for controlling the flow of current to said magnet.

In testimony whereof ll afix my signature.

WALTER E. STENNTNG. 

